New Delhi:

Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh met Congress state in-charge Rajiv Shukla and general secretary in-charge organisation KC Venugopal in Delhi today, a day after the party distanced itself from his remarks that eateries in the state will now have to display the names of owners and staff.

Mr Singh, while speaking exclusively to NDTV, denied being summoned by the Congress leadership and stressed that his remarks had “no communal overtones”.

“I was not called by anybody. I am a loyal soldier of the party. Whenever I come to Delhi, I meet the leadership here and apprise them of the work that the organisation and the government are doing in Himachal. It’s a routine affair,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Shukla said that the matter sprang from the state assembly speaker forming a committee to designate specific areas for street vendors, including those selling food and other items.

“They will be given licences and regulated so that police do not harass them. The designated places will require identification such as Aadhaar cards and licences but there is no requirement for them to display a sign stating their name as the owner,” he said.

Vikramaditya Singh said that while people from all parts of the country are welcome in Himachal Pradesh, it is the state government’s duty to address the “apprehensions” of the people.

“People from all parts of the country and walks of life are welcome in Himachal Pradesh, from all religions, castes and regions. But as a state, it is our responsibility to maintain law and order. We have to address the apprehension of the people of the state,” the 34-year-old said.

Insisting that his remarks had no communal overtones, the Himachal urban development minister told NDTV, “It is our responsibility to have vending zones across the country with registration certificates, whether its Aadhaar card, GST number or anything else. So there’s no communal overtones to any of it. Every state does it for their own security,” Mr Singh said.

“I am standing my ground that the interest of the people of Himachal Pradesh is our top-most priority,” he added.

Mr Singh said on Thursday that the decision for eateries and their shops to display the names of owners – an order issued by Uttar Pradesh during the Kanwar Yatra earlier this year – has been taken to maintain the ‘internal security’ of the state.

Mr Singh said the decision was taken considering “apprehensions” expressed by several locals about the rising numbers of migrants in the state.

The state government, however, later said that no such decision had been taken after Mr Singh’s announcement drew flak.

Mr Singh’s remark presented a conundrum for his party as it had earlier vehemently opposed the “display nameplate” diktat for eateries on the route of Kanwar Yatra by BJP-led Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments.

Senior BJP leader and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur criticised the state government led by Sukhvinder Sukhu for first ordering the implementation of the street vendor policy and then revoking it.

He claimed the rule was being opposed “because it is the (Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister) Yogi model”. “It is condemnable that the Sukhu government is withdrawing the action. This rule has been in place since the previous government. registration and various types of regulations, which were stopped by the Sukhu government as soon as it came to power.

New Delhi:

The Congress has responded angrily to BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s allegations – that its Himachal Pradesh government illegally transferred funds meant for disaster relief to Sonia Gandhi.

The hill state’s Public Works Department Minister – Vikramaditya Singh – warned Ms Ranaut to either withdraw the accusation or face legal action. “If Kangana does not retract her statement… we will sue for defamation. On what basis did she make such a statement? It is extremely unfortunate (that) she made a statement against a leader of Sonia Gandhi’s stature,” Mr Singh said Monday afternoon.

“There cannot be a (more) foolish statement than saying ‘funds coming from the Centre, or the state’s funds for development, are being given to Sonia Gandhi,” he said, “I openly challenge Kangana to show proof of even Re 1 being diverted… or apologise to Sonia Gandhi for such baseless allegations…”

Mr Singh also slammed Ms Ranaut’s “intellectual bankruptcy”, pointing out the actor-politician had, only last month, been reprimanded by her party over comments about the farmers’ protest.

“The BJP has already cautioned her… to not issue a statement on sensitive issues. However, it seem she has not paid heed to the advice of her party’s high command,” he said.

READ | BJP Schools Actor-MP Kangana Ranaut Over Farmer Remarks

On the specific charge – that the Congress’ Himachal Pradesh government “takes loans and gives it to Sonia Gandhi, which has made the state’s finances hollow” – Mr Singh pointed out money from the central government, and the uses to which it is put, are properly audited.

“It is a defamatory statement and we condemn it. She should produce evidence in a week… if she doesn’t, and doesn’t apologise, we will file a criminal defamation case…” Mr Singh said.

On Sunday, launching a membership drive in her constituency, Ms Ranaut hit out at the Congress and attacked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

“Disasters and Congress have taken the state back decades… I appeal to the people to root out this government,” she said, “If we (the central government) gives disaster funds, it should go to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund… but everyone knows that it goes to the ‘Sonia Relief Fund’.”

The actor-politician also took a dig at Vikramaditya Singh – her rival for the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in the April-June general election. “The people are tired of potholes on roads… I would do more than possible for my area, but the PWD Minister should also do something as well,” she said.

Himachal Pradesh is battling a financial crisis inflamed by devastating landslides, flash floods, and heavy rain in August, last year and this. To combat this problem the Chief Minister last month said his cabinet colleagues and he would defer accepting salaries for two months.

READ | Crisis-Hit Himachal Chief Minister, Ministers Defer Salaries For 2 Months

“After discussing in the Cabinet, all members decided that till the state sees improvement… we will not take salary, TA or DA (Transport or Dearness Allowance) for two months. This is just a small amount… but it is symbolic. Apart from this, I also requested all the MLAs…” the Chief Minister told reporters.

The centre has offered financial assistance; in August last year it approved the release of Rs 200 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund, as advance aid. This was after the release of Rs 360.8 crore from its share of state funds. And, earlier, this year, the centre announced Rs 11,500 crore support; this will, though, be distributed among flood-affected states.

Meanwhile, Ms Ranaut, a fierce critic of the opposition and avid supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also made headlines for the legal battle over her new film ‘Emergency’.

READ | “But Creative Freedom?” Censor’s Deadline For Kangana’s ‘Emergency’

The movie is based on the political turmoil in 1975, when Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister. It ran into trouble after Sikh organisations alleged it misrepresents their community, and arguments for and against its release are being heard by the Bombay High Court.

With input from agencies

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New Delhi:

Newly-elected BJP MP and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has asked people in her Lok Sabha constituency, Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, to bring their Aadhaar Cards with them if they want to meet her, drawing Congress’ ire.

Speaking to reporters, Ms Ranaut also said the purpose of their visit will have to be written down on paper so that they don’t face any inconvenience.

“Himachal Pradesh attracts a lot of tourists, so it is necessary to have an Aadhaar card from the Mandi area. Your work related to the constituency should also be written in the letter so that you don’t have to face inconvenience,” she said.

“Tourists come so much that common people face a lot of inconveniences,” she said.

She also said that if people from Himachal’s northern region want to meet her, they can visit her home in Manali, while people in Mandi can visit her office in the city.

“It is better when you meet in person regarding your work,” she added.

Congress Attacks Kangana Ranaut

Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh, who lost to Kangana Ranaut from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, attacked his rival and said if the people want to meet him, they “don’t need to bring the Aadhaar card”.

“We are people’s representatives. So, it is our responsibility to meet people from every section of the state. Whether it is a small task, a big task, a policy matter, or a personal work, it does not require any identity. If a person is coming to a public representative, they are coming for some work,” Mr Singh, who is also the sitting state Public Works Minister, told reporters.

“Asking people to bring their papers for a meeting is not right,” Mr Singh, the son of six times Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh, said.

Shimla:

Himachal minister Vikramaditya Singh has sent the Congress leadership in a huddle again after he removed his official designation from his Facebook bio. Formerly identified as the PWD Minister and an Indian National Congress member, his bio now just reads “servant of Himachal”. The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh almost fell after a Rajya Sabha election loss, and has since then been in firefighting mode.

Vikramaditya Singh, the son of six-time former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, met the other rebel Congress MLAs before leaving for New Delhi yesterday.

Sources reveal that Mr Singh could meet key BJP leaders in Delhi, including prominent figures like former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and State President Rajiv Bindal.

He has publicly accused the Congress of disrespecting his father, even though they sought votes in the last assembly elections in his name.  

Simultaneously, the state government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has appointed Ramapur MLA Nandalal as the Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Finance Commission, replacing Vikramaditya Singh. The move is seen as a measure that Mr Singh may have fallen out of favour within the party.

On Wednesday, as the Congress dealt with the challenge of cross-voting MLAs, Vikramaditya Singh had announced his resignation. He accused the Chief Minister of “negligence” towards his lawmakers and broke down as he accused the party of not allotting land for a statue of his father.

That same day the Congress pulled off a last-gasp maneuver to save itself, expelling 15 BJP MLAs to bring down the effective strength of the House and pass the state budget.

Soon after, Vikramaditya Singh took back his resignation.

The political saga will unfold today when the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet convenes at 11 am. The crisis exploded after the six rebels, and three independents who had professed their support, voted for the BJP’s candidate in this week’s Rajya Sabha election, and were then taken by the party.

The Chief minister has accused the rebel MLAs who voted against the party of being “black snakes” who sold their honour. “How can people who sell their honour for money serve the people of their constituency,” he said, while addressing a public meeting in Dharampur,” Mr Sukhu said.

In political life, people who betray their party which gave them a chance to contest elections are called “black snakes,” he said.

New Delhi:

The Congress remains on alert in Himachal Pradesh – a state it almost lost after Tuesday’s Rajya Sabha election loss left its government on the brink of collapse – following reports that Vikramaditya Singh on Thursday night met six rebel MLAs whose cross-voting triggered this political storm.

Mr Singh – the son of six-time former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh – did not cross-vote but his emotional outburst on the day, in which he accused the Congress of disrespecting the memory of his father, was an added challenge for the party as it fought off rival Bharatiya Janata Party’s attacks.

Himachal’s Urban Development Minister is in Delhi for two days to meet the Union Road and Transport Ministry. Sources said he met the rebel MLAs – who this morning moved the Himachal Pradesh High Court against their disqualification – in Panchkula, which is in BJP-ruled Haryana.

Sources also said two other Himachal Pradesh Congress MLAs have also met the rebels.

Neither side has yet commented on the subject of these discussions.

Mr Singh’s mother, Pratibha Singh, the Congress’ state unit boss, told news agency ANI she has “no idea” of her son’s schedule. “He was here till last night. What he did after… I don’t know.”

Amid speculation the Singh family is biding time before it challenges the Congress’ chief ministerial pick, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, for control of the state government, Ms Singh also said she will meet the party’s behind-the-scenes boss – Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi – to “keep them informed”.

READ | “MLAs Are Upset, Natural…”: Himachal Congress Chief On Cross-Voting

“Definitely. They are our high command and we have to go and apprise them… that this is the situation now in Himachal Pradesh and (they can) tell us what to do,” she said.

Further comments by Ms Singh – including telling ANI “… it is true that the BJP’s (government) is working better than ours” – seem to suggest the Congress’ Himachal problems are not yet over.

The comments have been seen in the light of the general election due in a few months.

The hill state has been a bastion for the BJP since Prime Minister Narendra Modi led his party to power at the centre; there may be only four seats, but the BJP won all four in 2014 and 2019.

“From Day 1 I have been telling the Chief Minister that we can only face upcoming elections if he strengthens the organisation. This is a very tough situation for us… we can see a lot of difficulties on the ground (and) as per directions of PM Modi, BJP is going to do a lot of things,” she said.

#WATCH | When asked about speculations of Vikramaditya Singh’s meeting with the six disqualified Congress MLAs, Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh says, “I have no idea about this. He was here until last night. What did he decide further and where did he go, I… pic.twitter.com/gqwAIHcfZR

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2024

“We are on weak footing… I have urged him again and again. This is a difficult time, but still we have to contest elections and win,” Ms Singh, who also showed sympathy for the cross-voting MLAs, said.

On Wednesday, as the Congress dealt with the challenge of cross-voting MLAs, Vikramaditya Singh had announced his resignation. He accused the Chief Minister of “negligence” towards his lawmakers and broke down as he accused the party of not allotting land for a statue of his father.

READ | “Didn’t Get Land For Father’s Statue”: Himachal Congress Leader

“In the past year, I have not said a word on this government but it is my responsibility to speak out now…” he declared. Hours later he backtracked, but underlined his ambivalent stance as he did so.

That same day the Congress pulled off a last-gasp maneuver to save itself, expelling 15 BJP MLAs to bring down the effective strength of the House and pass the state budget.

READ | Congress Buys Time In Himachal? Budget Passed Amid Coup Fears

The Assembly session was then adjourned, buying the party at least till after the general election.

The BJP must also now contest the expulsion of its MLAs – including former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur – before it can mount another attack on its rival.

For its part, the Congress has declared itself ‘safe’ for now after its top troubleshooter, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, was rushed in.

READ | “All Is Well”: DK Shivakumar On Crisis In Congress’s Himachal Unit

He met both Vikramaditya Singh and Pratibha Singh in Shimla Thursday evening, after which he told reporters, “All is well. This government will stay for five years. All issues have been sorted out…”

The crisis exploded after the six rebels, and three independents who had professed their support, voted for the BJP’s candidate in this week’s Rajya Sabha election, and were then taken by the party.

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Shimla:

Compounding the Congress’s problems in Himachal Pradesh, state minister Vikramaditya Singh quit as minister this morning after accusing Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of overlooking MLAs and disrespecting his father and Congress’s tallest leader in the hill state, the late Virbhadra Singh.

This comes amid dramatic developments in Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours that turned an election for a single Rajya Sabha seat to the Congress government’s fight for survival. The party, which has 40 MLAs in the 68-member Assembly.

Addressing the media, Mr Singh said the developments in the hill state are a cause for concern. “We need to go into the background and see what led to this situation. I would like to rewind your memory. The 2022 Assembly elections were found and won under the collective leadership of then Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri, state Congress chief Pratibha Singh and campaign committee head and current Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. There is no doubt that the polls were fought in the name of former Chief Minister, late Virbhadra Singh. There was no banner or poster that did not have his photo. A day before the polls, a full-page newspaper ad had his photo with the message, ‘Remember me, vote in my name’. This is a matter of record,” he said.

Incidentally, then state Congress chief and Mr Singh’s mother Pratibha was being seen as a frontrunner for the Chief Minister post before the Congress leadership chose Mr Sukhu.

“In the past one year, I have not said a word on the government’s functioning. But it is my responsibility to the people to speak out now. The post is not important for me. What is important is my relationship with the people of Himachal Pradesh, a relationship of trust,” he said.

“The way the government has functioned, the negligence towards MLAs, the drowning of their voices has led us to this point,” he said.

Mr Singh targeted the Congress government over its functioning and fiscal mismanagement. “This was repeatedly raised with the party high command, but they did not react the way they should have. I have always behaved in calling a spade a spade. We raised it on multiple forums, but since I am a disciplined member of the party, I know where to draw the line,” he said.

Mr Singh said the youth of the state backed the Congress. “But are we in a position to fulfil the promises to the youth of the state? That is a question that needs to be thought about,” he said.

The Congress government, which held a comfortable majority till yesterday, faces a crisis after six of its MLAs cross-voted in the contest for the lone Rajya Sabha seat yesterday. The rebel MLAs were whisked away to Haryana yesterday, and the Opposition BJP today claimed that the ruling party had lost the mandate to continue in power.

The cross-voting paved the way for the victory of BJP’s Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha election after a tie, and then a draw of lots, sealed the fate of Congress pick and senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi. 

The Congress has now rushed senior leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar to Himachal for damage control. 

New Delhi:

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a case against a senior official of the Enforcement Directorate and the chief of a hotel chain, in connection with the ongoing investigation in the Delhi liquor scam. The case names Pawan Khatri, Assistant Director of the ED, Vikramaditya Singh, the chief of a popular hotel chain, and Deepak Sangwan — an employee of Air India.

The ED is probing the Delhi liquor policy money laundering case involving former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and others, in which Amandeep Singh Dhall is also an accused. He was arrested by the agency earlier this year.

The ED has claimed Pawan Khatri, and Nitesh Kohar, a clerk in the ED, had allegedly received Rs 5 crore as bribe through conduits to help Amandeep Singh Dhall.

According to the complaint, Dhall and his father Birender Pal Singh informed ED officials that they have given Rs 5 crore to Praveen Vats, a Chartered Accountant, between December 2022 and January 2023 to “arrange help” in the ED investigation in the case against Dhall.

In its complaint to the CBI dated August 7, the ED said Praveen Vats and Deepak Sangwan, the Air India employee, had taken Rs 5 crore from Dhall on the pretext of helping him in the liquor policy money laundering case through Pawan Khatri.

“Vats stated that of the amount received from Dhall, 50 lakhs was given to Sangwan and Khatri as advance as demanded by them in mid-December,” the agency alleged in its complaint.

As Dhall was arrested in March this year, his father demanded a refund. On June 29, Rs 1 crore was returned to him in the presence of Khatri, as stated by Vats.

In his statement, Vikramaditya Singh has said that Aman Dhall had approached him for help and he had asked Vats to help him. Vats had told him that “after deducting expenses with ED officials and other expenses, remaining amount will be divided between them equally,” the ED’s complaint read.

Following the complaint, the CBI registered a corruption case against Khatri, Kohar, Sangwan, Vats, Vikramaditya Singh, Amandeep Singh Dhall and BP Singh for allegedly influencing ED’s investigation in Delhi liquor policy case through bribes.